For the first time in two weeks I feel hopeful.

[gaylepc]

I just got some REALLY encouraging news!

But first, a little short history of what I have been going through since July 29. On July 29 I started coughing up a small amount of blood. Knowing it can be a sign of lung cancer I got it checked right away. An xray showed a mass in my lower left lung that was abnormal. The next step was a CT scan with dye contrast, which again showed abnormality in the mass, along with a few nodules in the right lung. It also showed that I have moderate emphysema.

In meeting with the Pulmonologist, she was not encouraging and told me it was likely cancer and I needed a PET scan to show if it was potentially on the move. A bronchoscopy, to take samples was also scheduled for tommorrow, August 16 (still happening).

Needless to say, I have been a basket case of terror and have been on a high dose of Xanax (.5 3X a day) in an attempt to mitigate that somewhat. Of course I have feared the very worst.

We just got a call from the pulmonologist, and these are the condensed notes my husband made from that call. This is about as good as it could be under the circumstances:

Dr. H called to update us with results from the PET scan and discuss tomorrow's Bronchoscopy.

The PET scan did not show any activity other than in the mass in the left lung. There are no involved lymph nodes. She does recommend proceeding with the Bronchoscopy as scheduled. Some points regarding that:

She expects that she will not find anything interesting.

The mass is not that close to the airway; she will try to get a sample if she can.

If she sees any lymph node activity, she will take samples; there will be a pathologist on hand who will be able to immediately determine if there are any abnormal cells. She does not expect that to be the case.

If future procedures indicate that the mass is malignant, the oncologist will want the results of the bronchoscopy to rule out further involvement, so we should just get the procedure done now.

This specific type of bronchoscopy is called an endobronchial ultrasound

The mass will still need to be investigated. She will order a CT guided biopsy. That procedure will help to determine if the mass is a cancerous tumor or something else.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What this means is that if it is cancer it is likely early stage and not on the move yet. 

For the first time in two weeks I feel real, honest-to-goodness hope!

 

[Karen_L]

I know how anxious you have been, and the post that follows includes details and questions that I think you-- or your husband-- would be wise to investigate.

I'm surprised that she does not expect she will find anything "interesting?" A PET response in a mass is a definite concern, i.e., "interesting". Do you have access to the direct report of the PET? The SUV number would be interesting. That's the measurement of dye uptake.  It may be that she is talking about the lymph nodes? It would have been interesting to hear ger thoughts on what she would find that would qualify as "interesting."

I hope she is planning to be aggressive in pursuit of future procedures. The CT guided biopsy sounds good-- when will that happen? I strongly hope that the future procedures will include a liquid biopsy. (Many lung cancer specialists now routinely do both a tissue and a liquid biopsy-- the liquid biopsy yields faster results, where a tissue biopsy takes weeks.) 

On this page is information about tissue biopsy, with a good explanation of the Bronchoscophy procedure. 

Deep breaths. You can do this. You will be fine. 

 

 

[Livin Life]

Sooo glad you're feeling reassured about things being contained.  You will know very soon now - at least whether or not there is suspicious cells or not.  The "early" part is what I would focus on in case malignant.  There is so much they can do now in early stage lung cancer.... Sending out positive vibes!  Glad you have your husband by your side.  We'll wait to hear from you.....

[edivebuddy]

I'm so happy you feel some relief.  It's amazing how little effort it takes from a physician to make a huge to difference.

They are going to try to get to the lung lesions.  But it's location may not enable it.  It can only go as far as the airways will let it. They except no surprises while on the way. But it must be close enough to make teaching it a possiblity even if it's unlikely.

Now it's a little ambiguous what's next but it should be if they can't reach it they will do a CT guided biopsy right then and there.  That is what should happen but ....

Now they are going to do a Rapid On-Site Evaluation.  If it is positive for malignancy they'll want and you should want, them to take it out right then and there. 

If you can get your insurance company to pay for both types of biopsies go for it  your center I'm sure knows if they will already. 

 

Hopefully you'll wake up tomorrow with them telling you it was nothing.  If not. Many here have been where you are now and are here to listen and share their experiences.